Games 13 and 14 What We Learned: Houston Rockets Edition

I love being wrong. You don’t learn in this life by always being right. Games 13 and 14 What We Learned: Houston Rockets Edition.

Jalen Green being benched in the fourth quarter against the Warriors this past Monday was the best possible coaching decision Green has been a part of for his entire career.

Accountability was a focal point when Ime Udoka was hired, and it’s very clear this team has begun to have a direction. Jabari Smith Jr. has become the vocal leader in advocating for the new coaching empire.

Seeing positive actions come from the temporary punishments is the exact result we are looking for.

And results, we got.

The squad came out rough against the Grizzlies on Wednesday night, but the ability to close out games consistently is something I have not seen executed this well in a very long time, with the Rockets outscoring Memphis by 21 in the second half.

It seems like the Rockets can stop everyone on the Nuggets outside of Nikola Jokic. Injuries or not, it is very encouraging that we can play up to, if not beat these good teams.

If these win streaks continue, there is going to be a lot to look forward to in Houston. Let’s highlight some positives I’ve noticed from the last two nights of #RocketBall.

Like I mentioned at the beginning of this article, Jalen Green has looked SHARP. Getting to his spots, driving confidently again, throwing down slams, everything. It feels so right. This entire city wants Jalen Green to play like this every night like we know how he can.

Fred VanVleet is becoming more and more efficient, thank Christ. I was worried his low field goal percentage would become a major issue down the line, but it seems to have tamed itself for now. The deep threes in garbage time to help our point differential in the In-Season Tournament put the icing on the cake, and truthfully, could have upped FVV’s confidence for the foreseeable future.

These past two games have reeled me back in. Battling in the face of adversity is what can set this team apart from the rest. Lock in for a fun next couple of weeks. We will be facing the Mavericks, Nuggets, Lakers, Spurs, and our In-Season Tournament run will begin later in the first week of December.

Let’s keep it pushing. As our wins keep going up, so will the competition. I love it.

Your Houston Rockets will have a couple of much-needed days off and are back at it against Luka, Kyrie, Dereck Lively II, and the Dallas Mavericks in some In-Season Tournament action. The Rockets have already clinched a spot in the knockout stage, but still have a chance to finish atop their group with a win and a Pelicans loss.

See y’all then. Games 13 and 14 What We Learned: Houston Rockets Edition.